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Four year old dies in Devon Swimming Pool

A spokesman for the Devon Narcotics Anonymous Campout Committee said on Monday: "For the sixth year running, we have organized a week-long summer holiday campout for members of Narcotics Anonymous and their families at Knapp House in Northam, near Bideford, and for the sixth year in a row, we have all enjoyed a wonderful week of sharing lives of complete freedom from drug and alcohol use.

Knapp House Entrance

"Our members have enjoyed the wonderful setting, visits to local beaches, and as has been true throughout out our relationship with Knapp House, great service from them.

"One of the activities we organize with Knapp House is the supervised use of their swimming pool with their trained lifeguards.

"Very tragically something has gone horrifically wrong, and a young child of one of our members drowned in the pool.

"We are not aware of the exact details of how this happened, and the police are obviously investigating.

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"As a committee, we have worked tirelessly to try to provide a fabulous event for our fellow NA members, and we are devastated that a truly wonderful week has ended so tragically.

"We find all attempt at expressing our sorrow and concern for the parents and siblings of this child inadequate, but as is normal in our fellowship, they will have plenty of support as they face their tragedy.

"In Narcotics Anonymous, we share no specific religious beliefs, but the entire campsite formed a circle, held hands, and prayed for the family and their lost child."

Knapp House in Northam

A statement on behalf of Ashley and Stuart Clements, Knapp House's directors, said: "The group had the use of the pool on a self-supervised basis for recreational use - it was not part of the planned activity program that we provide.

"We are fully committed to understand exactly how this could have happened and will continue to liaise with the emergency services, the Health and Safety Executive and Narcotics Anonymous to establish this."

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It has also been reported that the rescue effort was hampered by the first ambulance on the scene becoming stranded with a flat tyre, meaning a second ambulance had to be called in, but this is not thought to have influenced the outcome of the case.

A spokesman for South Western Ambulance Service NHS Trust said: "The first ambulance on scene received a puncture whilst transporting the patient to North Devon District Hospital.